Wild Bill Hickok
Legendary gunfighter James Butler ‘Wild Bill’ Hickok was born on May 27, 1837. As a youth, Hickok helped his father operate an Underground Railroad stop for runaway slaves and during the Civil War became a daring Union scout. After the war Hickok’s fame as a skilled marksman, Indian fighter and frontier marshal grew, leading to a stint as a featured attraction with Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show. On August 2, 1876, Hickok was shot from behind and killed while playing poker in Saloon No. 10 in Deadwood, Dakota Territory. Contrary to his custom, Hickok was sitting with his back to the door.
Deadwood Visitor’s Center